10 Small Business Logo Examples from Real Businesses [+ Expert Logo Tips]

Did you know the human brain can process images 60,000 times faster than words? That’s exactly why most businesses rely on a visual logo to define their brand.

For small businesses, a logo isn’t just a graphic—it’s the face of their identity, communicating values, professionalism, and trust in a split second. Whether you’re starting fresh or revamping your look, finding the right inspiration is key.

In this blog, we’ve rounded up the best small business logo examples to help spark ideas and create a design that leaves a lasting impression. We’ll also offer a few design tips from our expert graphic designers as you brainstorm for your logo. Let’s get started!

1. Druthers Brewery Co.

Take a look at this small business logo for Druthers Brewery Co. It’s certainly one of the unique business logos you’ll come across among brewery logos since some of them are emblematic logos or wordmarks. Although theirs is technically a wordmark, it’s shaped into a beer bottle, making it different from most brewery logos out there. Plus, they combine two font styles that work, which helps deliver their brand positioning as a hip and modern brewery. 

2. Moonstruck Coffee

Feel like you’re hovering over the moon with this logo for Moonstruck Coffee. The designers for the Moonstruck Coffee logo landed on the idea of a fun logo because of the brand name. An astronaut riding on lightning makes the coffee shop a go-to place for a younger audience. But they also wanted to entice business people wanting to conduct their interviews in the coffee shop and those who need their caffeine fix. Overall, the logo is unique and will make one grab (or hover to) a cup of coffee in the coffee shop.

3. Made by Mary

Most jewelry logos would have rings or diamonds as their icons or symbols. But if you own a jewelry business and want to stand out from the rest, why not check out this example from Made by Mary? It’s a minimalist logo style. But what makes it interesting is the overall logo look. The gold motif and circular shape give the logo a pendant look, further enhancing its branding.

Do you need to look at more small business logo ideas before saying yes to Penji? Check out what our designers have created for our clients here!

4. Sh*t That I Knit

It’s not only Sh*t That I Knit’s name that will get people talking. Their logo is an example that embodies their brand and delivers the message they present to customers. As you can see, their logo is a combination logo that has an illustration of a person wearing an orange beanie. Knitwear is their specialty, and it’s seen immediately on the logo. And that’s not the only thing of note. The wordmark also has the knitting pins, representing the name and what they do.

5. Base

When it comes to fitness logos, we would usually see dumbbells or a person working out. But this one from Base is unique from other gym logos. Although wordmarks are common in logo design, Base makes theirs different by adding a foundation at the bottom of the logo. It implies that Base is a gym where its members can “build their base” since that’s their tagline too. And having the line below could also mean strength. Plus, the font used is also impactful and bold, making it easy to spot anywhere.

6. Morningtide

Neutral or nature-inspired color palettes are trendy among both corporate and startup logo designs. Morningtide is one of the shops with this motif in their small business logo design. 

It follows logo design principles, such as simplicity and uniqueness. But what makes the logo unique is how the lettermark is shaped. It’s not just an M, but a wave representing the name of their business. In addition, the M looks like a brush stroke, symbolizing the hard work of the creators of the items selling their products in the shop. Plus, you’ll also see a dark orange dot on the upper right-hand side of the logo, which could represent the sun.

7. Literati Bookstore

The logo for Literati Bookstore is one of the best creative logo ideas that incorporate what the business stands for. You might initially think, why would a typewriter be part of the logo? It could mean that before computers, the written word was typed using a typewriter. 

However, Literati Bookstore has an actual typewriter in their bookstore. The public can use this typewriter when they visit the bookstore and write whatever their heart desires. Having the typewriter in the logo strengthens their branding because it’s one of the things they’re known for, and it can distinguish them from other bookstores.

8. White’s Mercantile

If you want an old-school business logo inspiration, take a cue from this example. After all, there are MANY brands going for a modern look to appeal to the masses. However, modern doesn’t always mean great. And here’s one timeless and relevant logo that wouldn’t need a modern rebrand. The White’s Mercantile logo looks like it came from the medieval or Renaissance ages. It’s all thanks to the medieval Gothic style font with the added serif. However, considering the overall brand and aesthetic of the store, it makes sense to go with a classic logo.

9. Juniper Print Shop

Here’s one pictorial mark logo that takes inspiration from its name. The Juniper Print Shop logo looks like a leaf from a Juniper shrub or a tree. And since berries grow from Junipers, you’ll also see the homage to berries there. Aside from that, the leaf is shaped like a J because of its name. Plus, the logo looks like a piece of art as well, considering what they sell is art.

Overall, this logo passes the logo principles, such as simple, unique, relevant, and memorable. It’s one small business logo design idea to take inspiration from.

10. Exist Green

The color green, plants, and the planet Earth are common elements among successful sustainable brands. After all, you want to portray a sustainable or eco-friendly brand. While the color green and nature are present in the Exist Green logo, the pictorial logo may hold a deeper meaning. 

The building in the pictorial logo would mean our current urban lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean we can’t integrate sustainable practices into our lives. That’s why a tree trunk with branches appears beside the building. It further emphasizes its mission and shows the audience that it’s never too late to become eco-conscious, even in this evolving world.

Small Business Logos Created by Penji

Now that you’ve seen examples from real businesses, here’s a glimpse of some custom logo designs by our design team.

Sandwichery

Make customers hungry for more with this restaurant logo for Sandwichery. Since it’s a food truck business, the sandwich is integrated into the truck instead of a separate element. It’s a great way to showcase your product and enhance your branding. The logo will make more mouths water for delicious sandwiches upon seeing this. Who knows, you might have customers flocking to your food truck if you have a logo as enticing as this.

Photaro

Go for something simple and relevant, like this logo for Photaro. Although the camera imagery is typical in most photography logos, you can make yours unique or different by adding colors or using fonts that reflect your brand identity. The motif may look like it’s a Christmas theme, but pink-red and green are good color combinations to capture your target audience’s attention. Plus, instead of using a wordmark for Photaro, the added shutter further enhances the brand.

Someday Project

Are you an event planner? Here’s a small business logo design idea to inspire your logo. Here’s the logo for the Someday Project. As you can see, the combination logo contains a wordmark and some symbols, like many professional logo examples you’ll come across. The balloons tell us what the Someday Project does: plan parties or events. Plus, the orange and red motif represents energy, which is something that event planners bring to the table and what they also need to achieve in every event or party they plan.

Daydream Diner

Whet your customer’s appetite with a logo like this for Daydream Diner. Although no food is shown on the logo, you can still stimulate a customer’s palate with colors or dining imagery. Orange symbolizes happiness and energy. And by eating at Daydream Diner, customers can feel such after dining.

Check out how you can request a small business logo design at Penji with this guide.

Tips for Brainstorming a Small Business Logo

Creating a memorable logo for your small business involves creativity, strategy, design principles, and knowledge of branding for small businesses.

Here are some essential tips to guide your brainstorming process using logo designs from Penji: 

1. Focus on Simplicity

A clean and straightforward design leaves a stronger impact. The Gifted logo illustrates this perfectly. The flowing script paired with a minimalist floral motif conveys elegance and approachability. When brainstorming, think about how to represent your brand’s core message with minimal elements.

2. Incorporate Meaningful Imagery

Choose symbols that resonate with your business values or services. That said, the Go 2 Boco logo integrates a mountain and a cross to reflect a sense of adventure and faith. This shows how combining meaningful imagery with typography can reinforce your business’s purpose.

3. Play with Typography

Fonts can convey personality and set the tone of your brand. For instance, the Lone Star Tix logo leverages bold, modern typography to showcase a sense of energy and innovation. When brainstorming, experiment with font styles—serif fonts for tradition, sans-serif for modernity, or custom fonts for uniqueness.

4. Use a Strategic Color Palette

Colors evoke emotions and help differentiate your brand. As seen on this  Epazo logo, the design employs a warm red tone alongside black for a modern and professional appearance. While brainstorming, consider how your chosen colors align with your brand identity and target audience.

Importance of Logos for Small Businesses

Nowadays, small businesses know that logos are essential to their identity. Some businesses settle for a decent logo design by using a logo creator, which they can change over time. Meanwhile, some work on their logo for weeks or months to mold the ideal branding for the business. But what makes a logo important for a small business?

1. Establish Identity

An advantage of having a logo is that you can establish an identity from the get-go. Since most internet users pick up things visually, the logo is the best way to represent your brand. Once they see your logo, they will know and eventually recognize your business.

2. Stand Out from the Competition

As a new small business, having a logo already gives you an edge over most of your competitors. You can go for a simple logo, which you can further refine or improve in the future. Having a logo is a must when launching your brand, and you shouldn’t skip this step as you start running your business!

3. Communicate Your Brand Values

Considering that the logo is what establishes your identity, it also communicates your brand values. Having a logo means you can demonstrate what your brand is all about and what your brand represents. For instance, you can add a mascot or illustration that will represent what your brand advocates for.

How Does Penji Help with Logo Design

As one of the top graphic design services worldwide, Penji can assist you with logo creation. Whether it’s from scratch or a quick refresh, Penji will make a stunning logo that will blow away your audience and the competition! It’s easy to get a logo design from Penji since all you need to do is to submit a logo design brief. Plus, you can choose what logo designs you prefer, which will be considered by the graphic designer when creating your logo. From there, after 1 day, you get your logo!